This information was originally sent to all GAs on an F-1 or J-1 visa in December 2024 and will be sent out again before the end of the Fall 2024 term. If you are not graduating this fall, this information will not apply to you, but is still important to understand for the future.
Dear International Huskies,
Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you complete your degree requirements during Fall 2024 and if your degree is conferred in December, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after December 15, 2024.
If you hold an Academic Year 2024/2025 or Fall 2024 appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is January 7, 2025. If your degree is conferred in December and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time from December 15, 2024 through January 7, 2025 should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before December 15, 2024. You will still receive your full Fall 2024 GA stipend.
In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to December 15, 2024 if you are graduating in December and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training will begin December 16, 2024. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account later in December.
Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.
Leslie M. Shor
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School
Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services